Steal The Style: Dream Watches – Part II

The average cost for one of Esquire’s 22 “dream” watches is $13,964. More than a few of us have never spent that on a car, let alone a watch. The most expensive is a Platinum Paneri which runs, and this deserves to be written out check style: forty four thousand eight hundred and 00/100. What would you write on the “memo” line for that check anyway? I’M RICH BIAATCH! ? Still, they’re stunning, and Esquire excels at showing us the top of the line. The following are more attainable, Dappered-chosen alternatives that you can be awake to enjoy..

Their Picks: These Three.The Alternatives: A slim and simple with a sub dial, a thicker chrono (you’ll need to use ALAPRIL2 at checkout to get this price and the black band is up to you), and a boxier looking watch with some open space on the dial. Done.

Their Pick:Ralph Lauren 45mm ChronographThe Alternatives: As subtle as an airhorn at midnight. The Ralph Lauren chosen by Esquire manages to blend the tactical look of a dark ceramic and bolts on the dial, with formal details like Roman numerals. Nice work. The Bulova obviously leans towards the rough side (and won’t appeal to most, honestly), while the Orient is more cleaned up. Somewhere in between you’ll find this Citizen.

Their Pick: Steel Calibre de CartierThe Alternative: There’s no sub dial or prominent crown on the Hugo Boss, but there is a nice texture to the dial and can’t miss roman numerals. 40mm in diameter. $255 just seems like a lot to ask for a watch this simple, but it’s closer than most to the look of the dream-list watch.

For those that are actually a fan of the Tag Heurer Monaco; would you wear the BOSS watches above? Or is that something you’d pass on until winning the lottery and getting the real thing? Leave that below. Part III still to come.

@Peter, Esquire is ehh. I do pick it up to see what type of styles are hot for the season, but I usually look for cheaper alternatives because most of the articles are usually like “boat shoes are the trend this year. *models wearing Gucci and Burberry shoes* “

Nice choices, I suppose. However, what is really the point of these alternatives? By mimicking the general appeal of the Esquire choices you fail to capture what makes each of those pieces unique–each brand is known for a particular styling or mechanism. Everything in comparison just feels like a cheap Chinese knock-off. If you plan on choosing a watch like your outfit every morning, then spending more than $100 seems reckless. One should buy whatever they feel looks good and spend what they justify appropriate for that piece.